a dispute with
the Central Pacific Company over the point of connection. The Union
Pacific Company claimed their grade extended to Humboldt Wells, five
hundred miles west of Ogden, while the Central Pacific in reprisal
claimed the line to the western end of Weber Canon some thirty miles
east of Ogden. The facts were the two completed lines met at
Promontory Point fifty-three miles west of Ogden, April 28th, 1869. By
act of Congress, it was decided that the Union Pacific Railroad
Company should build the line to Promontory where the two roads should
connect but that the Central Pacific Railroad Company should pay for
and own the line west of Ogden. This was "settled out of Court" and
the action of Congress simply ratified an agreement made by the two
Companies.

The above covers the more important matters so far as the action of
Congress was concerned. Many other minor matters received attention at
their hands--both before and since the completion of the road. As is
stated in the opening paragraph of this chapter, the Pacific Railroads
have been ever present in Congress. The more important questions being
referred to in their order later.

CHAPTER III.

_Mostly Financial._

Preliminary Organization--Board of Commissioners--Company
Organized--Directors and Officers Elected--Hoxie Contract--Credit
Mobilier--Ames' Interest--Compromise Contract--Davis Contract--Cost of
Line--Land Grant.

When the Pacific Railroad Bill passed Congress and received the
President's signature in 1862, there was a well organized company to
take hold of the western or California end. The Union Pacific or
eastern end was not in such good shape. Thomas C. Durant, who was
afterwards Vice President of the Company had with a few associates
taken a prominent part in the matter but no regular organization
existed.

Under the Charter there were one hundred and fifty-eight persons
named, who, together with five to be appointed by the Secretary of the
Interior were to constitute a "Board of Commissioners" to effect a
preliminary organization, open books for the subscription of stock and
to call a meeting of the stockholders to elect a board of directors as
soon as two thousand shares had been subscribed and ten dollars per
share paid in.

When the board of directors had been elected, the property or rather
the proposition was to be turned over to them and the duties of the
Board of Commissioners should cease and terminate.

The Compan